Photographer Myles Loftin Talks Art As a Young Creative

In early March, a multimedia project entitled HOODED went viral on Twitter. The series depicts four black teens and young adults surrounded by bright, joyful colors in various photos, video clips, and graphics. As described by Myles himself, the project “humanizes and decriminalizes the societal image of black boys and black men dressed in hoodies.”

At just 19 years old, Myles Loftin has made a breakthrough in the field of freelance photography. Currently standing with nearly 19,000 followers on Instagram, he is showing the world that modern media can be a game changer for minority artists. Lithium writer Danielle Leard asked Myles some questions regarding his craft as a teenage creator.

Lithium: What made you pick up the camera?Myles: I went to Italy with my family, and my uncle let us borrow his camera. That was the first time I picked up a camera and used it as a creative outlet. Lithium: How do you manage your identity as your brand and your identity as a teenager?

Myles: I [don't think they are] that different from each other. There isn't a lot for me to manage. Of course, as a brand, I have to be a bit more professional, but I don't see a huge divide in the two to [the point] where it would be something that I have to balance.Lithium: What are some of your favorite influences in photography?Myles: As a creative, I draw inspiration from a lot of different outlets . . . I would probably say that a [couple] of my favorite places to draw inspiration are the past and the internet. Lithium: How has the internet guided your pursuit in your art?Myles: The internet has shown me the possibilities of how far I can push my art, and how I can use the internet in the dissemination of the messages I want to communicate with my art. There are so many things that you can do with your art on the internet, and seeing other people and how they use the internet as a tool can be extremely inspirational. Lithium: Why is it important for young millennials to create early on?Myles: I think it's important to create when you feel like you should create, but at the same time, don't hold yourself back due to [a] lack of money or resources. Create with what you have, and then build from there. Lithium: What is the most rewarding outcome of your creative process for you?Myles: The finished product. Lithium: What piece of advice would you give to other young creatives of color?Myles: Value your work early on so you don't end up underselling yourself.

You can check out the full set of HOODED and more of Myles’ work here.